"Feng Xiaotian, how about now?"
After eliminating another member of the Divine Wind Team, Huo Wu controlled the Extreme Flame Phoenix in midair, temporarily halting her attack as she turned to ask Feng Xiaotian.
Hearing this, Feng Xiaotian wore a bitter expression.
He had always known that Huo Wu was stronger than him. However, in Feng Xiaotian's estimation, with six four-ring teammates assisting him, a seven-on-one situation should still give them a considerable advantage.
Yet, he never expected that in the opening moments of the battle, five of his teammates would be instantly eliminated, causing their initial advantage to vanish completely.
Now, he was the only one left. Winning was clearly impossible.
Even so, if he had to lose, he couldn't afford to lose too badly!
"Come on, Xiao Wu! I, Feng Xiaotian, am a man!"
Taking a deep breath, Feng Xiaotian spoke firmly.
Tang San: Xiao Wu... that sounds so weird...
"Your courage is commendable, but let's not waste time. Fifth Soul Skill—Phoenix Fire Meteor!"
As Huo Wu's words fell, a surge of fiery soul power erupted. Five blazing golden-red meteors coalesced in midair before plummeting toward Feng Xiaotian like falling stars.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Tornado Blade!"
Seeing the meteors descending, Feng Xiaotian dared not be careless. His fifth soul ring shone brightly as a surge of azure light burst from his body. Instantly, he transformed into a violent tornado composed of countless razor-sharp wind blades, spiraling toward the incoming golden-red meteors.
"Boom! Boom!"
As the Tornado Blade clashed with the falling meteors, bursts of fire erupted, accompanied by deep, rumbling explosions. Two of the golden-red meteors were shattered by the Tornado Blade.
However, after obliterating two meteors, the tornado dissipated. Meanwhile, the remaining three golden-red meteors, though slightly weakened, still carried unstoppable force as they continued their descent toward Feng Xiaotian.
Ultimately, Feng Xiaotian's strength was inferior to Huo Wu's. The difference in soul ring years, level, and martial soul quality was significant. Although both were using their fifth soul skill, his Tornado Blade was unable to fully counter Huo Wu's Phoenix Fire Meteor.
Seeing this, Feng Xiaotian spread his azure wings and prepared to dodge the incoming meteors.
However, at that moment, the Extreme Flame Phoenix flapped its wings and surged forward. Opening its beak slightly, it spewed forth a torrent of scorching phoenix flames, sealing off Feng Xiaotian's escape route.
At the same time, six golden-red beams streaked through the air, landing at Feng Xiaotian's front, back, left, right, above, and below. In an instant, six Phoenix Fire Mirrors materialized, trapping Feng Xiaotian in the center and cutting off all his escape routes.
In the next second, before Feng Xiaotian could break through the Phoenix Fire Mirrors, the three golden-red meteors stopped just five or six meters away from him.
At this moment, Feng Xiaotian's face fell. After a brief internal struggle, he sighed helplessly and said, "I lost."
As expected, he was defeated.
Worse yet, he had lost in a seven-on-one match, where his team initially held a massive advantage.
Feng Xiaotian was well aware of the power of Huo Wu's Phoenix Fire Meteor.
Trapped within the six Phoenix Fire Mirrors, he couldn't break free in time. If Huo Wu wished, she could have detonated the three meteors, and with no defensive soul skills to protect him, he would have had to rely solely on his soul power to endure the explosion.
That was not something his flesh and blood could withstand. Even if he didn't die, he would be gravely injured.
"Snap!"
Hearing Feng Xiaotian's admission of defeat, a smile appeared on Huo Wu's lips. With a snap of her fingers, the three Phoenix Fire Meteors, the Extreme Flame Phoenix, and the six Phoenix Fire Mirrors all dissolved into pure fire-element soul power, quickly fading into the air.
Huo Wu: One versus seven in a team battle—feels amazing!
At that moment, the referee stepped onto the stage and announced the results:
"I declare—Round Six of the qualifiers: Blazing Fire Academy versus Divine Wind Academy. Victory goes to Blazing Fire Academy!"
"Take it easy!"
On the way out of the competition stage, Mu Yang saw Feng Xiaotian looking dejected and utterly defeated. He stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and offered some words of comfort.
Glancing at Mu Yang, Feng Xiaotian hesitated for a moment before asking, "Mu Yang, did you set me up earlier?"
At this moment, Feng Xiaotian couldn't shake the feeling that Blazing Fire Academy's original strategy had been to let Huo Wu take on all seven opponents by herself.
If that were the case, then the PY deal Mu Yang had made with him before the match seemed rather suspicious, as if there had been an ulterior motive behind it.
Mu Yang: "..."
Did this kid actually figure it out?
As expected, when something doesn't involve his goddess, a simp's intelligence is still functional.
"Set you up? Feng Xiaotian, are you seriously doubting my good intentions? What exactly do you have that's worth scheming over? If you lost, it's because you're not strong enough—don't blame me!"
Mu Yang put on an angry expression as he spoke.
"Hmm... that actually makes sense."
After some thought, Feng Xiaotian realized that, as a humble admirer of a goddess, he truly had nothing that could be of value to her influential cousin.
Sigh... To think that I, Feng Xiaotian, am a rare prodigy with innate full soul power, and yet I'm failing so miserably at life...
"I'm sorry, Brother Mu, that was my mistake."
Feng Xiaotian quickly apologized.
"Hmm, I forgive you! But don't look so down. Haven't you noticed that my cousin sees you differently now?"
Mu Yang waved his hand dismissively before encouraging him.
Caring for the physical and mental well-being of employees is something every outstanding capitalist should do.
Only those who endlessly exploit their workers without regard for their welfare are second-rate capitalists at best.
Though Feng Xiaotian was a bit of a simp, Mu Yang still considered him a decent person with strong talent. If he could be convinced to work for him in the future, Mu Yang wouldn't mind 'selling out' his own cousin a little.
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Feng Xiaotian immediately perked up.
"You heard it yourself earlier, didn't you? My cousin said you were courageous—she complimented your bravery. Isn't that a good start?"
Mu Yang countered with a question.
"!!!"
Feng Xiaotian's eyes widened in an instant. It was as if he had been injected with pure adrenaline, completely shaking off his previous despair.
That's right! The goddess said I was courageous, which means that in her eyes, I'm definitely a brave and fearless man!
And as a real man, how could I possibly wallow in defeat?
I must pull myself together! A bright future is waiting for me!
"Good brother! Let's grab a drink this evening—actually, better make it tonight, since everyone has team meals at noon. Tonight, just the two of us, we'll drink to our heart's content!"
Feng Xiaotian threw an arm around Mu Yang's shoulder and invited him enthusiastically.
"There's no need. Bing'er and I are planning to try the new candlelight dinner at the hotel tonight. You'll have to find someone else."
Mu Yang rejected him outright.
It was true that Feng Xiaotian was a potential future employee, but an employee could never be more important than a future wife.
Feng Xiaotian: "..."
Damn it, you little brat—was that really necessary?
But now that I think about it... if I could one day have a candlelight dinner alone with Goddess Huo Wu, wouldn't that be pure bliss?
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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